“Hey! Out of arrows on the west wall!” a messenger boy shouted out, rushing through the doors. He caught himself on the handle and breathing hard tried to salute Monthu.

Before he could answer anything another boy piped in. “East too!”

“South-west is getting engaged,” Fenek relayed. He entered the room with casual ease, shaking his hair. A cloud of ashes fell to the ground. “We’ve been attacked in the tunnels,” he said as a way of explanation.

As he did that, Monthu noticed that half his hair was burnt on one side. But he didn’t ask. If there was anything to worry about, the rogue would have said so. Monthu didn’t have time to trouble himself with others’ problems. He had enough of his own.

“Get LionTail. What is the damage there?”

“Some cracks, nothing major yet. But soldiers are exhausted. Last attack was just an hour ago.”

Monthu nodded. “I know, but there’s no one in reserve. The few that are resting went there just five minutes ago. It’s too soon.”

“Sure, but the wall won’t hold long like this,” Fenek said with a shake of his head. “I’ll be returning then. Every hand is needed there, even an untrained one like mine.”

Monthu turned towards the two waiting boys. What was he supposed to tell them? That there were no more arrows? “Go to the smiths. Check if they have something then report back to me. And you,” he pointed to the other boy. “go to the mage’s quarters and send LionTail to the South-West wall.”

“Yes, sir!” they said in unison and ran off.

Monthu turned his eyes towards the table on his right and added a few figurines. It was a smaller version of the one L had but served the same purpose. Made Monthu’s every victory look like throwing stones in a river and pretending that it was going to stop the flood.

No matter what he did, nothing seemed enough. The enemy just had too many people. They could attack day and night without giving city’s soldiers a moment’s rest.

Which they were, of course, doing.

Today was a torture and he wasn’t sure how they were going to get through the night. Lack of sight would be disastrous to their already exhausted minds. Not forgetting that Marion would be sure to play some tricks.

He had already tried to enter through all the secret tunnels. Though, those attacks had been repelled and tunnels filled up, it gave Monthu little solace. All those things meant was that this time Marion was coming from an unknown direction. There was no real way to know from where he was going to strike.

As he was thinking that, he opened his friend menu. Even a short talk with Hawk would get him some energy to continue on. He needed at least one goods news.

His eye caught on a green bubble next to a name he hadn’t seen for a very long time. Ace. He was here. Online.

A call came and Monthu answered. L’s voice was shaky and full of excitement as he asked. “Di-di-did you see it?”

“Apparently, he is back. Someone heard your prayers.”

“Think it’s an angel or the devil?”

Monthu didn’t even hesitate. “Definitely the second.”

“Thanks for a confidence boost. Now I just need to convince him to return,” L said with a sigh. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“Beats me,” Monthu told him, standing up to go outside. He needed a breath of fresh air. And to clear his head. “I’d wish you good look, but you’ll need much more than that to succeed.”

“Thanks,” L muttered in what sounded close to a growl.

**

Bright light blinded Ace as he opened his eyes. He blinked a few times to get accustomed and looked around. Branches, feathers, egg shells and a smell of raw rotten meat.

‘Where in the world am I?’ He tried to stand up but the branches under him creaked and he stopped moving. This might require more investigation.

A croak came from behind. Ace’s head snapped backwards and he met eye to eye with an oval brown eye. It was in a bald head and very near a curved beak.

“Uhmm... Hi?” Ace asked with a smile that twisted his face in a grimace. ‘What happened while I was gone?’

The bird croaked once more and moved towards Ace. He thought about getting away but a look behind told him he was on a cliff edge. Not really the best place to move around.

“What do you want from me, birdie?”

A hiss this time came but it was from above. Ace lifted his head up to see another one flying past. It was magnificent. Over two meters in wingspan with black flying feathers and white brown on the body. They interchanged between themselves as if woven by a master seamstress.

The one near Ace was similar but with darker colours. It rushed to stand between him and the newcomer, screeching. This attracted more birds and soon Ace found himself surrounded by a kettle.

There were six of them, humongous in size and eyeing him with their little brown eyes. The first one he had met was still standing before him, turning to him from time to time.

Croaking, hissing, screeching. It was clear they were communicating and Ace wished he could understand. But it wasn’t to happen. Sadly, he hadn’t picked up an animal understanding ability in any of his travels.

At some point his bird t turned to him and with what looked like a proud swagger came closer. It then put its head on Ace’s shoulder and croaked. ‘Was that supposed to be something along the lines of cooing? What is going on?’

Other birds landed and moved towards him. They didn’t come too close but released some sounds which probably were supposed to be reassuring.

It hit him then. [Childish Innocence]. That old skill he’d received at the beginning of the game. With trepidation he whispered its name and looked at the window that appeared.

*Childish Innocence [Passive] Master 12

Your youthful appearance and affable personality tends to sway everyone in your favour. Monsters see you as a hatchling and will try to protect you from any danger. Human-like races will feel like spoiling you and not letting you take risks. Your presence will make everyone feel relieved, happy and no one will want to leave it.*

“Really?” he screamed out. “Are you freaking serious?”

He felt rage building up in his stomach and he clenched his hands at his sides. ‘Who the f-’ Croaks and flutter of wings distracted him for a moment.

Birds were hopping away from him. Most were giving him an evil eye as if he was a misbehaving child. It would have angered him even more if not the vulture at his side.

It croaked in a crooning manner. At his surprised look it extended its wings and engulfed his head. Feathers brushed against Ace’s face and he found himself breathing in their smell.

This was no perfume but a scent of the wild. Mountain air, fat, rotten meat, fresh snow and many other things he couldn’t identify. They were all mixed together into something strange, unusual and yet somehow familiar.

It felt like the smell of freedom.

Without any conscious thought he raised his hand and extended it to touch the bird. It shivered at his touch but didn’t move away. It’s long neck was drawn back in and little eyes followed Ace’s every move.

“Thank you,” Ace whispered and smiled at the bird. “You’re beautiful,” he added after another look. Feathers were glistening in the sun’s light with their vitality. This was a young and healthy bird.

As if understanding him, the bird brought its wings back and extended them to show in their full glory. Sun shone behind him and the bird looked like a large shadow for Ace. One he wouldn’t want to meet in real life.

‘World is a magnificent place if such animals truly exist. They deserve to be more than just some programmers imagination.’

He smiled at the bird to show appreciation and then took a better look at his surroundings. Memories of his last playing had come back and they didn’t add up. He was supposed to be dead. His body was left in a middle of the tornado.

It couldn’t have survived, could it?

His eyes landed on a familiar sight far into the distance. It was misshapen and twisted but having flown so many times over, he could recognise it any time. That was the valley he had spawned the tornado.

It had destroyed the mountainside in all directions but by the end chosen a northern path. The snow, ice and frozen earth must have been warmest there, given way fastest.

Still all sides were torn open with tunnels opened to air, others fallen in and the whole mountainside changed. This place would never look the same.

As he let his eyes roam, a cliff closer to the tornadoes path caught his eyes. There were residues of branches below it and something white on brown earth. It could have been snow but Ace had a feeling that wasn’t the case.

‘So that’s why they saved me. I’m better than having to mourn their own. Do birds even do that, though?’

He heard wings flapping and his vulture flew past him. It dived with a graceful swoop and then pushed itself back up. Ace smiled and stepped off the cliff too. He cast [Phantasm] and changed himself into the Fallen.

His hair changed their colour to brown and elongated to cover his right eye while the other turned greenish blue with a black slit, dragon like. Black cloak settled on his shoulders with an amethyst brooch and a cowl on his head. Last of all, obsidian wings unfurled on his back.

As if testing, he flapped them a few times first before raising into the air. Then he dived down like the bird had done and pretended he could feel air rushing through his feathers. It was stretching his imagination but what else did he have? This was his world, one of lies, deceit and pretending.

All aimed at himself.

Vultures came after. They circled him before choosing a direction and flying off. His bird looked back to make sure he was following and Ace did that. It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to be.

They flew for a good hour until his companions spotted something on the ground. It was too far for Ace to see but soon enough they all dived down like arrows shot from a bow.

Ground closed in and Ace saw their target. A mountain goat had slipped off a cliff and broken its rear leg. It was trying to move but snow and icy stones were a dangerous surface. The animal was more falling on its belly than making any progress.

It released a strangled bleat after noticing its upcoming demise but had little way of escaping. Vultures descended in a rush, surrounding the animal from all sides. The goat tried to use its horns but while they protected the head, its backside was left open.

Two birds clawed into it, leaving with patches of wool and blood clinging to their claws. Goat bleated in pain but her try to block the rear only freed her neck. Wide gash opened up there from another set of claws.

Vultures were attacking from all sides but not endangering themselves. They knew they had the upper hand and no reason to risk.

The goat bleated again and Ace dived in. He dodged the horns and stabbed his dagger into the animal’s neck. There was no need for it to suffer.

Birds gave him looks but came to the ground and slowly approached the now dead animal. After making sure it was so they started the feast. Their claws dug into the flesh, severing pieces for digestion. Others preferred to use their sharp beaks.

Soon snow on cliff turned red with pieces of meat thrown around. One of the vultures came to Ace and pointed at the carcass. Was he supposed to join in?

It wasn’t an alluring idea but Ace moved closer. He didn’t want to leave just yet. For this he made an illusion of himself eating while, in truth, he was just putting it in his inventory. Later he could heat it up and have a great meal.

But not now, even if he was somewhat hungry. A glance to the hunger bar showed it was halfway down. Still decent enough.

He was about to stand up and leave when a shout in his ear stopped him in his tracks.

“Where have been all this time?” L screamed out. “I need you! Come back this instant! You hear me? Don’t even think about not coming! You will regret that!”

“Hello to you too,” Ace answered with a roll of his eyes. Why hadn’t he deleted all his contacts before leaving the game? It would have made everything so much more peaceful.

L took a moment to take a breath. “Where in the world are you? I need you here! Now!”

“Don’t I get to take holidays?”

There was stunned silence on the other side of the line. It lasted for a good minute. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Are you trying to order me around?” Ace asked in turn.

“That’s not... You work for me!” L spluttered. His voice had lost a touch of confidence, sounding more like a belligerent child now.

This was just too easy. “You sure?” he asked in a manner that suggested L was standing on a very thin line.

Ace wasn’t sure why he didn’t pretend like it had already been crossed. Did he want to return? See how everyone was doing? Was he that crazy? No one wanted him there. He had alienated everyone with efficiency. It was something he was very good at.

There was shuffling on the other side of the call, murmurs and then the sound of footsteps on stone floor. Moment’s later L breathed a deep sigh. “You still here?”

“For the time being,” Ace answered, watching vultures make themselves at home. Instead of flying back to their cliff, they sprawled on the icy ground and closed their eyes. They were going to sleep while the meat got digested in their systems. Whole goat was eaten after all, only bones left.

“Where have you been? No, I don’t think you’re going to answer. Rather, do you know the situation?” L asked.

Ace thought for a moment. Did he know? “I heard of a siege and that you’re losing it. Bad.”

L laughed with bitterness. “Just something I needed to hear. As if my commanders weren’t enough. Complaint after complaint is all I ever hear from them. It’s madde-” he stopped himself mid-word and breathed a sigh. He was doing a lot of that in this conversation. “But you don’t want to hear about my troubles do you?”

There was another pause before he continued. “I need your help. I kept my end of the bargain to the end, it is your turn to aid me.”

“You sure you want that? By now you should know I’d betrayed you to Marion,” Ace said in an emotionless tone. This was his escape card. Best one he had. He just wasn’t sure he wanted to use it.

“Thanks for that,” L replied with sarcasm dripping in torrents. “I haven’t forgotten.”

Nothing was added after that. Ace waited a minute and another but L wasn’t saying anything more. How could this be all? Where were all accusations? Anger and disgust? Name calling?

There was something horribly wrong in this silence. It wasn’t supposed to be like this!

“Is that all you want to say?” he asked, finally. Maybe if he could taunt L...

“Mhmhm... Yeah, I think so. Were you expecting something else?”

Something else was an understatement. It wasn’t even close to what had to happen. Why did L still trust him? Wasn’t he a traitor? Worst of all? Unable to find an answer he asked it aloud.

L chuckled in his ear. There was little joy in it. “Trusting you was always a gambit. It’s like throwing dice and expecting to win against a cheater. Possible, but very unlikely. Still,” he sighed once more, “beggars can’t be choosers.”

“So... You want to say... That I should return?” Ace asked in disbelief. He had many ideas of what might happen if he re-entered the game, but none had him coming back to see others. That could end in one thing only, tragedy.

“For sure. I, and everyone else, we need your help here,” L said in a tired voice. “We’re losing and I’m not certain even you can save this situation.”

“It’s that bad?” Ace asked, his resolution growing. No one ever said something was out of Wing’s reach. He was the ultimate being. Nothing was impossible for him. Well, maybe just human relationships. But this wasn’t that.

“Worse,” L said. “We’re waiting to be destroyed at any moment. It’ll be a wonder if a surrender notification hadn’t been sent while I was gone. Hopefully, Monthu managed to stop them.”

Breath caught in Ace’s throat. “They’re there?” he asked in a whisper.

“Monthu and the gang? Not really,” L answered nonchalantly. “The kid is off with the female while the archer is still lost somewhere in the mountains. That idiot. He has my best mage with him. What are they thinking?” he asked with annoyance in his tone.

His rant gave Ace time to find back his composure. It hadn’t gone too far and he was back to normal in a moment. “Good then. I’ll see about that helping you out part. See ya!”

”Wait! I ne-!” L started shouting out but Ace cut off the call. He heard all he wanted and more. Much more.

He curled into a ball near his bird and wondered whether he should come back. It would be so simple, to just go there and pretend like nothing happened. Or act as if he knew no one. Ignore whatever they had to say.

There were so many options. Yet all seemed wrong. Things had happened. It could never be the same. He had hurt Par. Deeply. Even if the kid could forgive him, the trust between them would never be the same and he’d grow to despise him. It was inevitable.

Monthu? This was an even more confusing topic. No matter how much Ace had analysed him, the guy was a mystery. It wasn’t that hard to play him, move him in your wanted direction but that didn’t mean you knew what was inside his head.

Well, Par but besides that. He had to have more to him. There had to be a life outside Ace wasn’t aware of. A whole side of Monthu he had no idea about, one that had to have shaped him as much as Par had.

So how was he to know what to expect? It might be an honest conversation or a dagger in the back for hurting his brother. Neither would surprise Ace and that was what worried him.

A bird croaked near him. He opened his eyes to see into the dark brown beads. They were emotionless looking to him but the vulture moved closer and put a wing above him. It was warm, though, surprisingly heavy.

“Thanks,” he murmured and concentrated on the bird’s breathing. It was steady and rhythmic, putting him to sleep in a few minutes.

It was night time when he woke up. Stars shone in the dark blue sky and for a time he watched them, making shapes in his mind. One compilation looked like a scorpion while another resembled a torch.

They were far apart and he wondered whether they were realistic. Had this world been changed enough to gain its own stars or were they a copy of the one’s seen from earth?

The shifting near him brought his attention to the ground. Vultures were still sleeping but his one was twitching as if having a nightmare. That was doubtful but he still woke it up.

It was time to go. Whatever was to come, it was better than sleeping your life away. He didn’t plan to give up. Not yet, at least.

His shuffling and trying to wake his bird stirred and others. They croaked in annoyance but got up, shaking their heads off sleep. And then they were off, up in the air, circling over his head.

Ace made sure his illusion was still solid. Feathers ruffled from lying on them, cloak creased and dirtied. Perfect. There were a few spots of blood at the bottom too but that was exactly what he needed. People had to know he meant business when he came.

This time when he rose, he took the lead. One of the vultures hissed, aiming to claw Ace’s eyes out but after receiving three slashes at his chest changed his opinion. He didn’t want to die.

That resolved, Ace chose a direction out of the mountains. He had a general idea of where Lasran was, having travelled with the expedition, though, he had his doubts. From the air everything looked different.

It took the rest of the night to find the city, dark not really helping in the endeavour. Only when they were out of the mountains did the fires surrounding Lasran helped to locate it.

And there were thousands of them. Wherever Ace looked red dots on the ground caught his eye. They were spread for kilometres around the city, in forests and near lakes. No wonder, no supplies could reach L.

Wall of light was built in a wide circle which would prevent anyone from passing. No one could pass unnoticed. Even rogues would have a hard time entering. This was some next level preparation. City defenders were like cornered animals without anywhere to go and unable to receive help.

Ace smiled. It was always more fun to be on the weaker side. Cornered animals fought with most fervour and he wanted to see what the defenders could accomplish. Maybe even help them. Pretend he was one.

But that was in the future. First there was this problem of supplies. If people inside were starving and with broken weapons, it wouldn’t be any kind of fight. Slaughter. And he had seen enough of that.

It was time to make all this more equal.

That good and all, but what exactly was he supposed to do. He could easily enter the city but he couldn’t bring anything with him. Only his bag but it would mean nothing in comparison to the need.

So what? He could try asking L but he would have said something if he had any plans. It was most likely he was banking on the idea that Ace would think of something.

Idiot. Who was he to know something about sieges and how to defend against them? L should have thought better about who he trusted. Ace was good at annoying people, tricking and betraying them but none of that were going to aid him in this. It was just too large a scale.

None of his aliases was of use either. Wing could kill but not enough to make a difference. Elf’s guild was inside and Ace was just a kid. He didn’t have enough influence with Marion to make him do anything.

What else was there?

One of the vultures croaked, tired of the night’s flight and now circling the city high above. Ace steered away then, returning to the mountains. It was the only place safe for them to rest.

He found a cliff with a large block acting as wind shield and landed there. It was farther from the city when he would have liked but he needed peace. He had to think of a way and someone stumbling on his group would only serve as a disturbance.

Whole flock came to him, finding resting places at his sides. One even settled on his legs. The bird was heavy but it gave off a welcome heat. Ace wasn’t sure he wanted to activate any of his spells any longer.

Tornado was still at the front of his mind and he was sure it had been his doing. Unplanned but no less his fault. Just how strong was he becoming? He didn’t dare to open his status menu and check.

Instead, he reached for the vulture on his legs ans stroked its back. The bird croaked softly but didn’t move or raise its head. Ace smiled at that, enjoying the feeling of a living being under his palm. He could feel its heart’s beating, soft fall and raise of the chest.

As he enjoyed that moment of peace, he took notice of his hand. Through the right eye it was dressed in a dirty green shirt but left... Left eye showed him a black robe covering paper sheet coloured skin.

Black angel. Fallen. This was his current illusion and it had allies of its own. Arenan - the village of angels. It would have never rushed to Lasran’s aid and in that stayed outside encirclement. Their self-serving natures would be the thing that will help him.

They might not have warriors or mage’s but they must have something special. Village of angels the place was called, after all, and few were allowed entrance. Even less made privy to the knowledge it possessed. They had to have stumbled on something useful in all the years they had been researching angels.

But first there was rest. He closed his eyes and willed himself into taking a nap. After this he’d have to talk with people.

Birds stirred after midday, waking Ace up. He yawned and stretched, shaking his wings so feathers would return to shape. Vultures shook themselves off and they all went to hunt. This time the prize was smaller but that was for the better.

It meant they could continue flying and Ace chose the road towards Arenan. Village wasn’t as close as he would have liked, but Lasran would have to last until he made his journey. Two days if he was lucky and there was game on the way.

More if not.

**

“You sure this is going to work?”

“At this point I’m not sure of anything,” Fenek muttered back to Rowena. “I just hope we’ll make it out alive.”

“Good enough,” she whispered with a nod, watching the outside world from his pocket.

They had cleared one of the secret passages and rogues were sent to sneak into Marion’s camp. Only one task was given, destroy as many siege engines as possible.

It was a suicide mission but most had agreed to come. This was it. If they didn’t do something crazy, the city would fall the next morning. There was no longer any delaying tactics left.

Food was gone, arrows a distant memory and sharp steel a dream. Smiths were working day and night just to make sure everyone had something to fight with and still there weren’t enough. Weapons broke and broke as they met enemy steels.

Broken and battered, dulled by all the cutting of ropes, theirs had no chance. And still the soldiers stood along with normal citizens who had taken up age old armour from their ancestors. Together they fought a losing battle, knowing that no help was coming.

“But we’re going to do this,” Rowena told herself quietly. Fenek glanced at her lizard self but didn’t say anything. He was moving through shadows with an efficiency she hadn’t expected.

He was lean but not small of build. Still he managed to move without a sound and blend with the darkness of the cave. It wasn’t a comfortable place. One person wide and twisting like a snake. Every meter there was a corner behind which something, no someone could be hiding.

Suddenly, he stopped. She was about to ask what, when he shook his head and raised his arm in a stop sign. There was no sound from behind.

Few moment’s later Fenek hugged the wall and took a step towards the corner. He took a glance but Rowena couldn’t see anything but she didn’t dare shift. The danger of being found out was too great.

Fenek wrote something on the air and a female made her way from behind them. She wore a dark grey dress with a black cloak to hide her blonde head. Still without a doubt she was no rogue. What was she doing here? Even Rowena had had a hard time getting on this mission. It was an absolute secret.

The female nodded to Fenek and wrote on the air with a finger. But this was no messaging. Burning symbols stayed after her finger. They buzzed like angry hornets looking for a way out.

Second later the writing was finished and she spread her palms as if pushing something away from her. Words dissipated but not without a rush of force leaving for behind the corner.

The girl rose three fingers, two and then one. “They’re asleep,” she said in a soft voice.

“Good work, Lara. I’m glad you decided to come,” Fenek said with a smile her way. “It would have been troublesome otherwise.”

The girl blushed. “This is Wing’s city. You know, I’d do anything to protect it.”

“But he’s a monster,” Rowena said, returning to her human form for a time. “Why would you do anything for him? I don’t get it. Why is everyone so fascinated by that one child?”

Lara laughed at her annoyance. It was a clear, uplifting sound, no mockery in it. “You haven’t truly met him, then. He acts without remorse and does some questionable stuff but his heart is pure, like that of a child he is.”

“In what way?”

“You saw this magic? Have you heard of anything like it? Voiceless spells?” the girl asked, turning to move away. Rowena followed her behind the corner and saw three sentries asleep. Each one had slumped where he sat.

“No, not really,” she answered in wonder. It had to have been a strong spell to work this quick, and it had been soundless. Mages had looked for it from the game’s beginning. Who wouldn’t want to be able to cast spells without giving away his location? “Where did you find it?”

“That’s the thing,” Lara said, turning to her with shining eyes. “I didn’t. Wing received unexplored ruins, he almost alone defeated a boss whose strength I’ve never seen before and then threw me the reward! Just like that!”

She laughed gleefully. “He gave me a legendary reward without blinking an eye! Said I should better make myself useful in this group! Can you imagine anyone else doing this? He’s the best!”

Rowena had her doubts but she couldn’t refute Lara’s statement. No one else would have parted with such a reward. It had rightfully belonged to Wing. So why did he give it away? Did he like the girl?

You could say she was pretty. Soft features, mysterious dark eyes, rich blonde hair to her shoulders. Her figure wasn’t too shabby either. Not a woman’s fully grown but delicate in its beauty. Like that of a porcelain doll.

“Is everything okay?” Fenek asked, waking her up from her musings.

“Oh! Yeah, of course!” she said quickly. “We were just talking about Wing.”

“Useless. He left us, that’s all there is to it. He never cared what happened to us,” Fenek said with disgust clear in his tone.

It was in great contrast with Lara’s words. Could Wing really have fallen in love? It would be a story for ages. Legendary assassin romancing a simple girl, turning her into the strongest mage.

But wasn’t Wing just a kid? She had a faint recollection of having met him as his alias Ace. It was for no more than half a day but that had been enough to make an impression.

He didn’t have a single personality. Every moment he was changing and shifting. But where she became different in form, it was his mind reforming. One moment he was angry and pissed, another kind and friendly while third adult like and pushy.

What was the real him? And what pretend? Or was that mess the truth? Could it be he hid under so many layers of lies he no longer knew who he was?

Rowena shook her head. There was no point in wondering that. She was no psychologist. It’s just that everyone around her thought so highly of him when he was nothing more than just another killer. It made her want to try and prove it to them.

But this wasn’t the time. They had work to do. “Is the path up ahead clear?” she asked through Lara’s passionate defence of Wing to Fenek.

“I’d think there will be a few more sentries but we’re close. It shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to reach the exit,” he answered.

Rowena nodded. “Let’s hurry then. Midnight is close.”

Fenek led the way and she turned into a little bird to sit on his shoulder. Her sneaking skills were non-existent. This was less embarrassing than actually attempting to be quiet. She had tried once. One time too many for her liking.

Three more times Lara had to cast her spell and each was as amazing as the first. No sound, not a smallest whisper and the guards would fall asleep without any warning. They had no way to defend themselves. It was quite scary in a way.

“We’re here,” Fenek said as they reached a stone at the end. “Through this illusion and we’ll be out in the enemy zone. No turning back then. No way out.”

People came to crowd the passage but there was no noise. None said anything or moved to leave. They had come this far, there was no returning. Tonight was their time to show those Marion’s dogs.

Fenek nodded in acknowledgement and they all slipped into the night. But before Rowena had flown away she heard him whisper, “New moon, huh? Maybe someone is still looking after us.”